Hail Mary Endorsement Deals Edit
Mazda Makes Michael Phelps Highest-Paid Sponsor in Chinese History

Michael Phelps’ star power continues to rock the advertising world; the swimming champ has just inked a $1 million endorsement deal with Mazda in China that will make him the highest-paid Western celebrity sponsor in the history of that country.

Michael Phelps will return to Beijing to complete endorsements for the Mazda 6 automobile in public appearances, on television and in print ads. Phelps’ sponsorship deal is hoped to aid flagging Mazda sales in China, which according to Bloomberg News have been well under their projections.

“The people of China have been very supportive of me and my efforts to help promote swimming,” Phelps told the New York Daily News. “I am excited to begin 2009 with my first return trip to Beijing since the Games.”